myjabberwocky

Hi all!

I'm speaking at a graduate conference in Greensboro at the end of September. I know absolutely nothing about this area. I won't be there long, just about a day and a half. I haven't found much about this area other than something about golfing and a few questions about restaurants. Does anyone recommend a park, historical site, or other nature/historical type of a thing to do while I'm there?

Thanks so much.

myjabberwocky

A postscript: I don't have a car; I'll be taking a train from New York. Does this area have public transportation/taxis? I'll Google some information as well, but it would be nice to hear from the locals.

nytraveler

Are you sure you want to take a train? Once you're south of DC they can get very slow - and delays are common. I would think flying would be much faster and possibly cheaper as well.

ncgrrl

There's the Guilford Courthouse, park of the National Park Service. Lake Brandt has some nice trails (I haven't been there but friends have told me about it). Check to see what's at the Greensboro Coliseum (unless it's you). In the downtown area is the Depot, which I think is trying to become an arts hotspot. Also downtown was (note was) the Woolworth's that started the sit-in movement of the 1960s. I think there is more than a historic marker but the Woolworth's is long gone.

Not having a car is more difficult. Yes, there are busses and taxis, but I'd rent a car if you can drive.

It's been a few years since I was a college student in Greensboro and even then I didn't go to the better restaurants.

WannabeinaMontserrat

Not a lot going on there & you'll certainly need a car to do much. You may want to reconsider the train as well.

starrs

I'd reconsider the train as well. It's a miserable ride with countless stops.

I'd rent a car so you can get out and about and see things.

travelhappyfamily

Greensboro has a wonderful collection of parks if you have time for a hike or taking in scenery, but you'll need a car to get to any of them. The city does have a bus system and a taxi service.

Here's a local site that might help you in your search:

http://www.gotriad.com/

The Woolworth's building, site of the sit-ins that sparked the Civil Rights movement, is still standing, but unfortunately it's just a shell - the museum and memorial are still being developed:

http://www.sitins.com/index.shtml

Parks are situated all over the area - will you be downtown or at one of the colleges? There's a pretty new park downtown with water fountains - if you're going on the weekend, there's usually people playing music there.

A few restaurant ideas:
http://www.greenvalleygrill.com
http://www.lucky32.com/greensboro.htm

Ackislander

Downtown Greensboro was one of the cradles of the civil rights movement. It should be a national tourist center. Last time I was there, it was like East Berlin before the fall of the Wall. Horrible restaurant in my hotel, nothing much else outside the hotel.
I hope it has changed.

And frankly, the train is a terrible way to get there as compared to flying, even for a fearful flyer -- and I love trains!

Please reconsider!

Jimingso

The Depot is no longer an arts center, it's a transportation hub (trains, buses.)

Downtown Greensboro has returned from the dead, with several good restaurants such as 223 South Elm, Liberty Oak, and the Undercurrent.

There is also a thriving bar and club scene if you're a twenty-something. Also, numerous galleries and boutiques.

Visit the Cultural Arts Center and the Greensboro Historical Museum, both downtown on Davie St.

For history and walking, visit the Guilford Courthouse National Park, site of a very important battle of the Revolutionary War.

There are taxis and buses available but, like the other posters, I'd recommend flying in and renting a car. Delta and US Airways have non-stop service from LaGuardia.

Jim

travelhappyfamily

Having been to both to East Berlin before the Wall fell and little Greensboro NC, I can assure you that G'boro is alive and well. =) Like most US urban centers, it suffered greatly as people moved to the suburbs years ago, but there has been a recent, great influx of building (commerical and residential) in the downtown corridor. There are several good restaurants, and a wonderful new park across from the Cultural Center (which features some great art, BTW). Jim's recommendations are right on...Undercurrent was the one restaurant I was thinking of - great place. The city is celebrating it's 200th, so there's more going on now too.

Definitely reconsider a car for the day and a half, especially if you're not staying downtown. Good luck!

myjabberwocky

Thank you for the suggestions and information. I just can't afford to fly -- everything I'm finding (with the exception of last-minute fares on airfarewatchdog.com) is approximately $350 for a flight, while the train is $89 each way for a total of $178. I'm a graduate student -- I'll have plenty of reading I can do on the train to save the cash!

I'm going to look into renting a car and driving down there. While that would cut down my reading time, it would save considerable train time, I'd be able to get around the city, and I could drive back on Saturday night and save on hotel fare, I think. If it turns out to be too much with the hotel and gas (I'm not a literary superstar, and it's a small conference, so no one's paying my way), I'll just bow out of the conference.

Again, thank you for everyone's help!

Jimingso

Sorry you're having to foot the bill. Maybe take the train to DC, then rent a car at Union station.

p.s. Hope you'll be a literary superstar in the near future!

Ackislander

I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear that Greensboro has reinvented its downtown. This is really good news.